Lock for milk-cans.



Patented Feb. 4, I902. J. RITTENHOUSE.

LUCK FOR MILK CANS.

(Application filed. Sept. 5. 1901) 2 Sheets-Sheet L (No Model.)

FICZZ No. 692,477. Patented Feb. 4, I902.

J. RITTENHUUSE.

Lock Fo'n MILK CANS.

(Application filed Sept. 5. 1901.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets--8heet 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR: fi/fiwfl Jasfiflw/rri/rwwg UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH RITTENIIOUSE, OF PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA.

LOCK FOR M lLK-CANS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 692,477, dated February 4, 1902.

Application filed September 5, 1901. Serial No. 74,425. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH RITTENHOUSE, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Looks for Milk-Cans, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

It is the object of my invention to provide a lock adapted to be secured in such relation with a door and its frame that the bail of a milk-can or similar article may be engaged by the look without opening the door and be retained by the lock until the door is opened, such lock having a member arranged to rotate in but one direction.

My invention comprises the various novel features of construction hereinafter more definitely specified and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure I is a plan sectional view of a lock conveniently embodying my improvements in connection with a door-frame and door. Fig. II is a front elevation of the lock shown in Fig.1. Fig. III is a view similar to Fig. I, showing a modified form of my invention. Fig. IV is a front elevation of the form of my invention shown in Fig. III.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Figs. I and II, 1 is the door-frame, and 2 is the door, hinged to said frame at 3. The casing of the lock is formed of the two sections 4 and 5, secured together by the studs 6 and 7. Said studs are integral with the section 5 and riveted through the respective apertures 8 and 9 in the section 4. Said oasing-sections are provided with lugs 10 and 11, comprising apertures 12 and 13 for the screws 14 and 15, by which the casing is fixed to the frame 1. Said apertures 12 and 13 are covered by the bar 16, which is removably fitted in said casing and upheld by its shoulder 17. The removal of said bar is prevented when the lock is closed by the engagement of the flange 18 of the hasp 19 in the recess 20 in said bar. Said hasp is f ulcrumed upon the stud 6 and provided with the recess 21 in said flange to permit said cover -bar to be removed when the hasp is in its open position. The wheel 25 is mounted for rotation upon the stud 7, so as to present its peripheral notches 26 intermediate of the lock-casing and the free extremity 28 of said hasp 19, said free extremity being provided with the recess 29 and arranged to engage the periphery of said wheel. Said wheel 25 is limited to rotation in but one direction by means of the springpawl 30, which is deflected by rotation of the Wheel 25 in the direction of the arrow upon Fig. I and successively engages the notches 26, as shown in dotted lines in said figure.

The parts above described being in the position shown in Fig. I, the bail 33 of the milkcontainer 3a may be inserted in one of the notches 26 of the wheel 25 and the latter rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in said figure until said bail is engaged between the lock-casing and the hasp 19. I find it convenient to provide the lock-casing with the lugs 36 to retain the locked bail 33 aside from the path of rotation of the wheel 25, so that the latter may freely engage a plurality of bails. The spring-pawl 3O prevents reverse rotation of the wheel 25, so that the bail 33 is retained by the lock until the latter is released by opening the door 2 upon its hinge 3 in the direction of the arrow marked upon Fig. I a sufficient distance to permit the hasp 19 to be swung out of engagement with the periphery of the wheel 25, whereupon the bail 33 may be withdrawn from the lock-casing over the wheel 25 and between the latter and the free end 28 of the hasp 19. The spring 31, which is conveniently made in integral relation with the pawl 30, engages the notch 32 in the hasp 19 and serves to return the latter to the normal position shown in Fig. I when released by the operator.

In the form of myinvention shown in Figs. III and IV the wheel 37 is mounted for rotation in the extremity 38 of the hasp 39, and the parts are so related that the periphery of said wheel, which is provided with the notches 40, is engaged by the recess 41 in thelock-oasing 42. In the latter form of my invention the container-bails 33 are engaged with the look by rotation of the wheel 37 in the di rection of the arrow marked upon Fig. III, and reverse rotation of said wheel 37 is prevented by the spring-pawl 4:3.

It is to be understood that the construction and operation of both forms of my invention above described are such that a milk-container or similar article may be delivered at the exterior door of a house provided with my invention and be securely retained until the gouseholder releases the lock by opening the oor.

Although in both forms of my invention which I have shown the lock-casing is fixed upon the door-frame 1 and the hasp arranged to contact with the door 2, it is obvious that the lock may be operated with equal facility if the position of the parts be reversedz'. e., the lock-casing may be inverted and secured upon the door 2, so that the hasp 19 is in contact with the frame 1. Moreover, I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement which I have shown, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention.

I claim- 1. In a lock, the combination with acasing; of a hasp pivoted in said casing; a rotary wheel supported by said casing and provided with a peripheral notch, and arranged to present said notch intermediate of said casing and the free extremity of said hasp; and means to limit the rotation of said wheel to one direction, substantially as set forth.

2. In a lock, the combination witha casing; of a wheel mounted to rotate in said casing and provided with a peripheral notch; means to prevent reverse movement of said wheel; a hasp pivoted in said casing, having its free extremity arranged to close said notch, substantially as set forth.

3. In a lock, the combination with a casing; of a notched wheel mounted to rotate in said casing; a pawl arranged to permit said wheel to rotate in one direction and prevent its rotation in the other direction; a hasp pivoted in said casing and having its free extremity arranged to close the contiguous notches in said wheel, substantially as set forth.

4. In a lock, the combination with a casing;

of a notched wheel mounted to rotate in said casing; means to prevent reverse movement of said wheel; a hasp pivoted in said casing and provided with a recess at its free extremity arranged to engage the periphery of said wheel, substantially as set forth.

5. In a lock, the combination with a casing; of a notched wheel mounted to rotate in said casing; a hasp pivoted in said casing, and provided with a recess at its free extremity arranged to engage the periphery of said wheel; a spring-pawl mounted within said casing and arranged to permit said wheel to rotate in but one direction and to return the hasp to normal position, substantially as set forth.

6. In a lock, the combination with a casing provided with a screw-aperture; of a cover for said aperture removabl y fitted in said casing; a notched wheel mounted to rotate in said casing; a hasp pivoted in said casing and provided with a recess at its free extremity arranged to engage the periphery of said Wheel; and a flange upon the inner extremity of said hasp, arranged to prevent the removal of said cover when the hasp is closed and to permit the removal of said cover when the hasp is opened, substantially as set forth.

7. In a lock, the combination with a casing provided with a screw-aperture; of a cover for said aperture removably fitted in said casing; and a member of said lock arranged to engage with and prevent the removal of said cover when the lock is closed and to permit the removal of said cover when the lock is opened, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, at Philadelphia, Pennsylva nia, this 3d day of September, 1901.

JOSEPH RITTENHOUSE.

Witnesses:

EDWARD RITTENHOUSE, JOHN MOKEE. 

